Parachute



v=. R. owENs PARAGHU'TE Filed Aug.10, 1927 2 sheets-sheerb 1 ATTO R N EYF. R. OWENS PARACHUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1Q. 1927 w 0. m f

vvlNVENTOR ATTORN EY Oct. 16, 1928.

Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STA FRANK R. OWENS, F BEAVER CROSSING, NEBRASKA.

PARACHUTE.

Application led vAugust 10, 1927. Serial No. 212,055.

"Ihe present invention relates to parachutes and has for its principalobject to provide a device of this character which will open withoutfail when making a descent therewith. Other objects are simplicity andcheapness of construction. Further objects and advantages will appearfrom the following specification and claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the parachute whenopen.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of thepara chute when open. y

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the stop l5 which prevents theparachute from opening beyond the desired spread. l'

Describing the invention in detail, provided within the dome of theparachute is a canvas tube 13 secured at its upper end to the body andin spaced relation thereto by means'of straps 14 of canvas or othersuitable material which may be sewed to the body portion 10 and to thesidesof the cylinder. There may be any number of these straps, but Iprefer to use four, spaced at equal intervals about the cylinder. Boundin the lower end of the tube 13 I provide a metallicring 15 which isheld to the tube by folding the material thereabout and forming a lineofl stitches 16 therein. 17 is a rope to which the operator may hold inmaking a descent and the upper end of this rope is attached to the tube13 by means of branches 18 spliced thereto and having their upper endslooped at 19 through apertures 20 about the ring 15. The lower edge ofthe dome of the parachute is folded upon itself to form a hem 21 and isprovided with spaced apertures 22, the edges of which are bound byeyelets 23 and secured in these eyelets I provide a plurality of tieropes 24, the upper ends of which are secured in the eyelets 23 and thelower ends converge to connect with the flange 25 formed on the ferrule26 which is slidable on the rope 17. The ropes are connected to theflange 25 by looping the rope as at 27 through apertures 28 formed insaid flange. A stop 29 is provided on the rope above the ferrule and issecured to the rope against sliding therealong by any suitable means asthe rope 17 so as to prevent thedome of the by `a set screw 30.` Thisstop is locked in such a position along parachute from turning wrongside out. The tube 13,*it will be noted, is of such a length that lwhenthe dome of the parachute is collapsed thereabout the lower end'of thetube will project beyond the lower end of the dome of the parachute.

lIn operation it will be readilyseen that when an operator is making adescent from a flying machine, when he throws the parachute to thebreeze air will immediately pass through the tube 13 for the reason thatthe lower end thereof is held constantly open by the ring V15. Airpassing upward throughl Bussum the tube will spread out from its upperend,

filling the dome of the parachute and causing it to spread to openposition, as shown in Figure 1. It is to be understood that the weightof the operator will all be on the lower end of the tube 13 until thedome of the parachute is fully open, from which time the weight will beon the ropes 24L and the parachute will support practically all of theweight. It will be readily seen that by the above construction danger ofmaking a jump and having the parachute fail to open is practicallyeliminated and danger from said leaps in the air will be greatlyminimized; o

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A parachute having a dome of flexible material, a tube secure-dtherein by one end, said end being in spaced relation to the dome of theparachute, a rigid ring secured in the lower end of the tube, a ropesecured to said ring, ropes secured to the lower edge of the dome of theparachute and having a slidable connection with the rst mentioned rope.

2. A parachute comprising a dome of flexible material, a tubular memberhaving one end thereof secured within the dome of the parachute and inspaced relation to the walls thereof, a rigid ring secured in the lowerend of the tube, a rope secured to said ring, a plurality of ropesconnected in spaced relation to the lower edge of the dome.A of theparachute and having a sliding connection with the rope secured to thetube, said tubel being ofl al length to project below the lower end ofthe body of the parachutewhen the same is collapsed about said tube. l

3. In a parachute, a body portion of flexible material when opened inthe form of a dome, a. flexible tubular member having flexibleconnection with the top of the dome and being of a length to projectbeyond the lower end of the dome when the dome is collapsed 5thereabont7 a ring secured in the lower end of the tube, a rope havingbranches connected to the tube, ropes connected to the lower edge of thedome of the parachute andhavng sliding connection with the ropeconnected to the tube, and a stop for preventing the 10 slidingconnection from sliding beyond a predetermined point on said rope.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

FRANK R. OWENS.

